Park Planning

An example of one of the exlosures proposed to be placed throughout Bering Land Bridge.

NPS/Peter Neitlich

 

The National Park Service (NPS) is considering establishing 18 fenced grazing exclosures to study lichen growth rates and ungulate (caribou, reindeer, muskox) grazing effects in Bering Land Bridge National Preserve (BELA), Alaska  starting in the summer of 2012. Each exclosure fence would be 30 ft x 30 ft, 6 feet high, established for 30-50 years, and accessed by helicopter for both construction and regular readings of vegetation plots. Reading of vegetation plots would be conducted once every 10 years. The project area is eligible for wilderness but is not designated as wilderness.

The two primary purposes of the proposal are 1) to provide data for a scientifically-based reindeer grazing management plan, and 2) to provide long-term data on caribou habitat quality and forage quantity for the Western Arctic Caribou Herd's winter range in BELA. A secondary objective of this 2^nd purpose is to provide long-term data on climate-driven vegetation change in the absence of grazing.

To determine whether this project meets applicable environmental requirements, NPS has drafted an Environmental Assessment (EA). This EA is now available for public comment from February 7, 2012 until March 7, 2012. Click here to view the document. It is 880 KB.

Alternately, hard copies may be obrained upon request to Jeanette Pomrenke (email or by phone [phone].)

There are several ways to comment on this project:

1. The preferred mechanism is via the projects website.
2. Comments can be made by email or mail to Jeanette Pomrenke ([e-mail] or National Park Service, PO Box 220, Nome, AK 99762)
3. Comments may also be delivered to the NPS office in Nome in person (Sitnasauk Building, 214 Front Street, Nome, AK) or faxed to 907-443-6139.

 

To view the entire Environmental Assessment click here.